ABOUT COMPLINE

Compline (which comes from the Latin word for completion) follows a very ancient format that has been largely unchanged for many centuries. It is simple enough to memorise and it’s familiar rhythm helps to wonderfully settle the mind before sleep. It is a time of quietness and reflection and is best done as the very last thing you do before turning off the lights and going to sleep.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Reader: God, come to my assistanceAll:Lord, make haste to help me.

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

EXAMINATION OFCONSCIENCE

We are called to have a clear conscience towards God and towards men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask His strength to do better.

Pause for Reflection…

All: (When praying in community, use the words in parenthesis)

I confess to God almighty,(and to you my brothers and sisters,)
that I have greatly sinned,
In my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.
Through my fault, through my foolishness,And through my fear.

Almighty God, have mercy upon me.Forgive me all my sins,and deliver me from all evil.Confirm and strengthen me in all goodness,and bring me to life everlasting.Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pause for Reflection…

Reader: Lord, Have mercy.All:Lord, have mercy. Reader: Christ, Have mercy. All:Christ, have mercy. Reader: Lord, Have mercy.All:Lord, have mercy.

EVENING PSALM

Psalm 31:1-5

The Lord a Fortress in AdversityTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

In You, O Lord, I put my trust;Let me never be ashamed;Deliver me in Your righteousness.Bow down Your ear to me,Deliver me speedily;Be my rock of refuge,A fortress of defense to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;Therefore, for Your name’s sake,Lead me and guide me.Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,For You are my strength.Into Your hand I commit my spirit;You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

WORSHIP

All:
(A time of worship and thanksgiving, led or spontaneous. Alternatively a devotional song may be played and listened to.)

NEW TESTAMENT READING

Acts 5:17-32

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousythey arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council and all the senate of the people of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.”Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

RESPONSORY

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

SONG OF SIMEON (Nunc Dimitis)

All:Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;Watch over us as we sleep,That awake, we may keep watch with Christ,And asleep, may rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, your word has been fulfilled:My own eyes have seen the salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people.A light to reveal you to the nations,and the glory of your people, Israel.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

All:Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;Watch over us as we sleep,That awake, we may keep watch with Christ,And asleep, may rest in his peace.

PRAYER

(You might like to spend a few moments thanking God for the day or bringing to him any outstanding issues.)

COLLECT

Reader:(Either this or an alternative closing prayer may be said.)

Be present, O God,
And protect us through the silent hours of this night,
So that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,
May rest upon your eternal changelessness.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Spirit,
One God, now and forever, Amen

BLESSING

Reader:(When praying in community, this or a similar blessing may be used)

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful end. Amen

ABOUT TODAY

In the church calendar the long stretch of time between Pentecost and the beginning of Advent is known as ‘Ordinary Time.’ Inasmuch as we have celebrated to birth, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and the subsequent descent of the Holy Spirit; so this time is often seen as representative of the long ‘Church Age’ when the gospel is preached to all creation.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Reader:
God, come to my assistance.All:Lord, make haste to help me.

Reader:
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

AFTERNOON PSALM

Psalm 11

Faith in the Lord’s RighteousnessTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

In the Lord I put my trust;How can you say to my soul,“Flee as a bird to your mountain”?For look! The wicked bend their bow,They make ready their arrow on the string,That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.If the foundations are destroyed,What can the righteous do?

The Lord is in His holy temple,The Lord’s throne is in heaven;His eyes behold,His eyelids test the sons of men.The Lord tests the righteous,But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.Upon the wicked He will rain coals;Fire and brimstone and a burning windShall be the portion of their cup.

For the Lord is righteous,He loves righteousness;His countenance beholds the upright.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

WORSHIP (Optional)

All:
(A short time of worship and thanksgiving, led or spontaneous. Alternatively a devotional song may be played and listened to.)

OLD TESTAMENT READING

Nehemiah 8:13-18

Feast of Booths Celebrated

On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law.And they found it written in the Law that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month,and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.”So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing.And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.

Reader:The Word of the Lord.All:Thanks be to God.

Pause for Reflection……

PRAYER

(Take a moment to bring to God any issues that have arisen during the morning. You may like to end with the following prayer…)

Reader:Lord Jesus, you worked with your hands as a carpenter.
May we who labour upon the earth never cease to give you praise,
And know your loving presence with us.
We ask this for your glory. Amen

(If these prayers are taking place before food, you may like to say the Grace here also.)

GRACE (Optional)

(If these prayers are taking place before food, you may like to say the Grace here instead.)

Lord God, we thank you for your gift to us of this food;
Produce of earth, sky, many living beings, and much hard work.

May we eat with prayerfulness, gratitude and moderation;
With renewed minds and spirit-controlled appetites.

May we eat with compassion for those who hunger today,
And in such a way that reduces the suffering of all creatures;
Healing and preserving our precious planet.

Use this food to strengthen our bodies, revive our spirits,
Nurture our family and nourish our resolve;
That we may continue to serve all that lives with all our life. Amen

ABOUT TODAY

In the church calendar the long stretch of time between Pentecost and the beginning of Advent is known as ‘Ordinary Time.’ Inasmuch as we have celebrated the birth, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and the subsequent descent of the Holy Spirit; so this time is often seen as representative of the long ‘Church Age’ when the gospel is preached to all creation. Because of that, our intercessions during this period will include prayers for every single nation of the world by name.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Reader:
Lord, Open my lips.All:And my mouth will give you praise.

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

INVITATORY PSALM:

Psalm 95:1-7 (Venite, exultemus)

All:

A Call to Worship and Obedience

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.For the Lord is the great God,And the great King above all gods.In His hand are the deep places of the earth;The heights of the hills are His also.The sea is His, for He made it;And His hands formed the dry land.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.For He is our God,And we are the people of His pasture,And the sheep of His hand.

.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

MORNING PSALM

Psalm 20

The Assurance of God’s Saving WorkTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;May He send you help from the sanctuary,And strengthen you out of Zion;May He remember all your offerings,And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah

May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,And fulfill all your purpose.We will rejoice in your salvation,And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;He will answer him from His holy heavenWith the saving strength of His right hand.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.They have bowed down and fallen;But we have risen and stand upright.

Save, Lord!May the King answer us when we call.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

WORSHIP

All:
(A time of worship and thanksgiving, led or spontaneous. Alternatively a devotional song may be played and listened to.)

PRAYER & INTERCESSION

Reader:Let us pray for the day and its tasks, for the church and her life, and for the world and its needs.

(You may use these prayers as written or use them as ‘prayer pointers’ for your own spontaneous petitions.

Personal Requests

Almighty God, morning by morning your grace and glory captivates us! We thank you for a new day, and give praise to you who caused light to shine out of darkness. Today by your grace we shall triumph in the works of your hands as we are anointed with fresh oil. Today we shall flourish as palm trees and grow like cedars in Lebanon! – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

Planted in the House of the Lord, we shall flourish in the courts of our God. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

Bringing forth fruit in old age, we shall be fat, green and flourishing! – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

Family & Friends

God, who sets the lonely in families and brings those who are bound into prosperity, guard over our families and loved ones today. As iron sharpens iron so may our relationships bring us closer to Christ; and as two are better than one, so may we be vigilant to watch over each other’s souls and work for each other’s good. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

When your Spirit came in times past, we read that whole households were saved. We pray for the fractured and broken families of our church and cry to you for salvation for all! – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

For those in further education, that they may find good churches to support them and good friendships to sustain them. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

The Church

Lord Jesus, we pray for your people. May they be enlightened to know your ways, empowered to share their faith, enriched with every blessing and enthralled with love for you. May your people be one, even as you are one with the Father. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

For Pope Francis, his bishops, priests, ministers, and all those that serve your people… – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

For our Orthodox brothers and sisters, tested by persecution and triumphant by faith… – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

For the Churches of the Reformation, the Anglican Communion and the free churches… – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

The World

Mighty God, the people of the world belong to you. Today we pray for Latvia. Home to the world’s fourth highest suicide rate, oppressed by hopelessness across a backdrop of beautiful scenery. Oh Lord have mercy on these poor souls, pour out your power and drive away despair. Bring hope and peace. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

We pray for your light to dawn upon this land to drive back the forces of darkness which seek to operate in the sex trade, alcoholism and high abortion rates. May Latvia find the freedom and life only you can give. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

Awaken your Church to a nation in desperate need of you. Bring renewal and revival to dusty pews and hearts that they may be stirred to see your Kingdom come in their country. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

We lift up the youth of this nation to you, we pray that they would seek and find you before the spiritual apathy of the older generation sets in. May they be the example and be the fearless generation who would trust in God to bring hope and a new day. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

THE LORD’SPRAYER

Reader: And so we pray…

All:Our Father in heaven,Holy is Your Name.Your Kingdom come.Your will be done,On earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;And forgive us our trespasses,As we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation,But deliver us from evil.For yours is the kingdom,The power, and the glory,Forever and ever. Amen.

GOSPEL READING

Luke 9:23-27

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Reader:The Word of the Lord.All: Thanks be to God.

Pause for Reflection…

READING: THE WAY OF CHRIST (Optional)

Reader:The Way of Compassion: The Principle of Compassionate Listening.

Mindful of the brokenness of those around me, I determine to cultivate the art of deep, non-judgemental listening. As a follower of the Way of Compassion, I will seek rather to understand than to be understood.

All:This is The Way of Compassion: The Principle of Compassionate Listening.

Pause for Reflection…

THE APOSTLES CREED

Reader: And so we make our declaration of faith…

All:We believe in God the Father, Almighty,Maker of heaven and earth:And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,Born of the Virgin Mary,Suffered under Pontius Pilate,Was crucified, dead, and buried:He descended into the grave;The third day he rose again from the dead;He ascended into heaven,And sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;From there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.We believe in the Holy Spirit;The Holy Worldwide Church;The Communion of Saints;The Forgiveness of sins;The Resurrection of the body,And the Life everlasting. Amen.

COLLECT

Reader:(Either this or an alternative closing prayer may be said.)

Creator God, you made us all in your image:
May we discern you in all that we see,
And serve you in all that we do;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESSING

Reader:(When praying in community, this or a similar blessing may be used)

And may the love of God set your hearts free,
To live an abundant life overflowing in joy and compassion,
In the service of others. Amen.

ABOUT COMPLINE

Compline (which comes from the Latin word for completion) follows a very ancient format that has been largely unchanged for many centuries. It is simple enough to memorise and it’s familiar rhythm helps to wonderfully settle the mind before sleep. It is a time of quietness and reflection and is best done as the very last thing you do before turning off the lights and going to sleep.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Reader: God, come to my assistanceAll:Lord, make haste to help me.

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

EXAMINATION OFCONSCIENCE

We are called to have a clear conscience towards God and towards men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask His strength to do better.

Pause for Reflection…

All: (When praying in community, use the words in parenthesis)

I confess to God almighty,(and to you my brothers and sisters,)
that I have greatly sinned,
In my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.
Through my fault, through my foolishness,And through my fear.

Almighty God, have mercy upon me.Forgive me all my sins,and deliver me from all evil.Confirm and strengthen me in all goodness,and bring me to life everlasting.Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pause for Reflection…

Reader: Lord, Have mercy.All:Lord, have mercy. Reader: Christ, Have mercy. All:Christ, have mercy. Reader: Lord, Have mercy.All:Lord, have mercy.

EVENING PSALM

Psalm 31:1-5

The Lord a Fortress in AdversityTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

In You, O Lord, I put my trust;Let me never be ashamed;Deliver me in Your righteousness.Bow down Your ear to me,Deliver me speedily;Be my rock of refuge,A fortress of defense to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;Therefore, for Your name’s sake,Lead me and guide me.Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,For You are my strength.Into Your hand I commit my spirit;You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

WORSHIP

All:
(A time of worship and thanksgiving, led or spontaneous. Alternatively a devotional song may be played and listened to.)

NEW TESTAMENT READING

Acts 3:1-10

The Lame Beggar Healed

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.And all the people saw him walking and praising God,and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

RESPONSORY

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

SONG OF SIMEON (Nunc Dimitis)

All:Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;Watch over us as we sleep,That awake, we may keep watch with Christ,And asleep, may rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, your word has been fulfilled:My own eyes have seen the salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people.A light to reveal you to the nations,and the glory of your people, Israel.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

All:Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;Watch over us as we sleep,That awake, we may keep watch with Christ,And asleep, may rest in his peace.

PRAYER

(You might like to spend a few moments thanking God for the day or bringing to him any outstanding issues.)

COLLECT

Reader:(Either this or an alternative closing prayer may be said.)

Be present, O God,
And protect us through the silent hours of this night,
So that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,
May rest upon your eternal changelessness.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Spirit,
One God, now and forever, Amen

BLESSING

Reader:(When praying in community, this or a similar blessing may be used)

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful end. Amen

ABOUT TODAY

In the church calendar the long stretch of time between Pentecost and the beginning of Advent is known as ‘Ordinary Time.’ Inasmuch as we have celebrated to birth, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and the subsequent descent of the Holy Spirit; so this time is often seen as representative of the long ‘Church Age’ when the gospel is preached to all creation.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Reader:
God, come to my assistance.All:Lord, make haste to help me.

Reader:
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

AFTERNOON PSALM

Psalm 148

Praise to the Lord from Creation

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;Praise Him in the heights!Praise Him, all His angels;Praise Him, all His hosts!Praise Him, sun and moon;Praise Him, all you stars of light!Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,And you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,For He commanded and they were created.He also established them forever and ever;He made a decree which shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,You great sea creatures and all the depths;Fire and hail, snow and clouds;Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;Mountains and all hills;Fruitful trees and all cedars;Beasts and all cattle;Creeping things and flying fowl;Kings of the earth and all peoples;Princes and all judges of the earth;Both young men and maidens;Old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,For His name alone is exalted;His glory is above the earth and heaven.And He has exalted the horn of His people,The praise of all His saints—Of the children of Israel,A people near to Him.

Praise the Lord!

All:
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

WORSHIP (Optional)

All:
(A short time of worship and thanksgiving, led or spontaneous. Alternatively a devotional song may be played and listened to.)

OLD TESTAMENT READING

Nehemiah 4:15-23

The Work Resumes

When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah,who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each laboured on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other.And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

So we laboured at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labour by day.”So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.

Reader:The Word of the Lord.All:Thanks be to God.

Pause for Reflection……

PRAYER

(Take a moment to bring to God any issues that have arisen during the morning. You may like to end with the following prayer…)

Reader:Lord Jesus, you worked with your hands as a carpenter.
May we who labour upon the earth never cease to give you praise,
And know your loving presence with us.
We ask this for your glory. Amen

GRACE (Optional)

Lord God, we thank you for your gift to us of this food;
Produce of earth, sky, many living beings, and much hard work.

May we eat with prayerfulness, gratitude and moderation;
With renewed minds and spirit-controlled appetites.

May we eat with compassion for those who hunger today,
And in such a way that reduces the suffering of all creatures;
Healing and preserving our precious planet.

Use this food to strengthen our bodies, revive our spirits,
Nurture our family and nourish our resolve;
That we may continue to serve all that lives with all our life. Amen

ABOUT TODAY

In the church calendar the long stretch of time between Pentecost and the beginning of Advent is known as ‘Ordinary Time.’ Inasmuch as we have celebrated the birth, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and the subsequent descent of the Holy Spirit; so this time is often seen as representative of the long ‘Church Age’ when the gospel is preached to all creation. Because of that, our intercessions during this period will include prayers for every single nation of the world by name.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Reader:
Lord, Open my lips.All:And my mouth will give you praise.

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

INVITATORY PSALM:

Psalm 95:1-7 (Venite, exultemus)

All:

A Call to Worship and Obedience

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.For the Lord is the great God,And the great King above all gods.In His hand are the deep places of the earth;The heights of the hills are His also.The sea is His, for He made it;And His hands formed the dry land.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.For He is our God,And we are the people of His pasture,And the sheep of His hand.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

MORNING PSALM

Psalm 147

Praise to God for His Word and Providence

Praise the Lord!For it is good to sing praises to our God;For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.He heals the brokenheartedAnd binds up their wounds.He counts the number of the stars;He calls them all by name.Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;His understanding is infinite.The Lord lifts up the humble;He casts the wicked down to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;Sing praises on the harp to our God,Who covers the heavens with clouds,Who prepares rain for the earth,Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.He gives to the beast its food,And to the young ravens that cry.

He does not delight in the strength of the horse;He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,In those who hope in His mercy.

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!Praise your God, O Zion!For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;He has blessed your children within you.He makes peace in your borders,And fills you with the finest wheat.

He sends out His command to the earth;His word runs very swiftly.He gives snow like wool;He scatters the frost like ashes;He casts out His hail like morsels;Who can stand before His cold?He sends out His word and melts them;He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.

He declares His word to Jacob,His statutes and His judgments to Israel.He has not dealt thus with any nation;And as for His judgments, they have not known them.

Praise the Lord!

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

WORSHIP

All:
(A time of worship and thanksgiving, led or spontaneous. Alternatively a devotional song may be played and listened to.)

PRAYER & INTERCESSION

Reader:Let us pray for the day and its tasks, for the church and her life, and for the world and its needs.

(You may use these prayers as written or use them as ‘prayer pointers’ for your own spontaneous petitions.

Personal Requests

Almighty God, morning by morning your grace and glory captivates us! We thank you for a new day, and give praise to you who caused light to shine out of darkness. Today by your grace we shall triumph in the works of your hands as we are anointed with fresh oil. Today we shall flourish as palm trees and grow like cedars in Lebanon! – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

Planted in the House of the Lord, we shall flourish in the courts of our God. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

Bringing forth fruit in old age, we shall be fat, green and flourishing! – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

Family & Friends

God, who sets the lonely in families and brings those who are bound into prosperity, guard over our families and loved ones today. As iron sharpens iron so may our relationships bring us closer to Christ; and as two are better than one, so may we be vigilant to watch over each other’s souls and work for each other’s good. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

When your Spirit came in times past, we read that whole households were saved. We pray for the fractured and broken families of our church and cry to you for salvation for all! – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

For those in further education, that they may find good churches to support them and good friendships to sustain them. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

The Church

Lord Jesus, we pray for your people. May they be enlightened to know your ways, empowered to share their faith, enriched with every blessing and enthralled with love for you. May your people be one, even as you are one with the Father. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

For Pope Francis, his bishops, priests, ministers, and all those that serve your people… – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

For our Orthodox brothers and sisters, tested by persecution and triumphant by faith… – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

For the Churches of the Reformation, the Anglican Communion and the free churches… – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

The World

Mighty God, we lift to you our broken world and pray today for the country of Japan, where for millennia minds have been captured by Shintoism and eyes Are accustomed to the sights of Buddhist temples in every town. We pray that lives would be captured by the Hound of Heaven and brought into relationship with our Lord and Saviour. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

May your gospel find a home in amidst a country distracted by technology and religious ritualism. We pray for the power of Christ to break through into every heart and bring them home. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

For those searching for answers from economic struggles and natural disasters, may they find you in their seeking and have their hearts and minds enlightened to your spirit. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

We pray for believers who are in the minority. Would you empower them to find the lost, preach the gospel, bind the broken hearted and bring hope to those in need. – The Lord is clothed with strength; our feet shall not be moved…

THE LORD’SPRAYER

Reader: And so we pray…

All:Our Father in heaven,Holy is Your Name.Your Kingdom come.Your will be done,On earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;And forgive us our trespasses,As we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation,But deliver us from evil.For yours is the kingdom,The power, and the glory,Forever and ever. Amen.

GOSPEL READING

Luke 8:19-21

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.”But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Reader:The Word of the Lord.All: Thanks be to God.

Pause for Reflection…

READING: THE WAY OF CHRIST (Optional)

Reader:The Way of Peace: The Principle of Ecumenism Amongst the Churches.

Conscious of the terrible disfigurement to the face of Christ through the fragmenting of His body on earth, I will work for the fulfilment of Jesus’ Prayer “that they may be one.” As a follower of the Way of Peace, I will not engage in unprofitable theological controversy, or allow my personal opinions to break the bond of love with my brothers and sisters of other churches, but will humbly seek to learn from their experience of faith.

All:This is The Way of Peace: The Principle of Ecumenism Amongst the Churches.

Pause for Reflection…

THE APOSTLES CREED

Reader: And so we make our declaration of faith…

All:We believe in God the Father, Almighty,Maker of heaven and earth:And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,Born of the Virgin Mary,Suffered under Pontius Pilate,Was crucified, dead, and buried:He descended into the grave;The third day he rose again from the dead;He ascended into heaven,And sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;From there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.We believe in the Holy Spirit;The Holy Worldwide Church;The Communion of Saints;The Forgiveness of sins;The Resurrection of the body,And the Life everlasting. Amen.

COLLECT

Reader:(Either this or an alternative closing prayer may be said.)

Creator God, you made us all in your image:
May we discern you in all that we see,
And serve you in all that we do;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESSING

Reader:(When praying in community, this or a similar blessing may be used)

And may the love of God set your hearts free,
To live an abundant life overflowing in joy and compassion,
In the service of others. Amen.

ABOUT COMPLINE

Compline (which comes from the Latin word for completion) follows a very ancient format that has been largely unchanged for many centuries. It is simple enough to memorise and it’s familiar rhythm helps to wonderfully settle the mind before sleep. It is a time of quietness and reflection and is best done as the very last thing you do before turning off the lights and going to sleep.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Reader: God, come to my assistanceAll:Lord, make haste to help me.

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

EXAMINATION OFCONSCIENCE

We are called to have a clear conscience towards God and towards men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask His strength to do better.

Pause for Reflection…

All: (When praying in community, use the words in parenthesis)

I confess to God almighty,(and to you my brothers and sisters,)
that I have greatly sinned,
In my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.
Through my fault, through my foolishness,And through my fear.

Almighty God, have mercy upon me.Forgive me all my sins,and deliver me from all evil.Confirm and strengthen me in all goodness,and bring me to life everlasting.Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pause for Reflection…

Reader: Lord, Have mercy.All:Lord, have mercy. Reader: Christ, Have mercy. All:Christ, have mercy. Reader: Lord, Have mercy.All:Lord, have mercy.

EVENING PSALM

Psalm 31:1-5

The Lord a Fortress in AdversityTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

In You, O Lord, I put my trust;Let me never be ashamed;Deliver me in Your righteousness.Bow down Your ear to me,Deliver me speedily;Be my rock of refuge,A fortress of defense to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;Therefore, for Your name’s sake,Lead me and guide me.Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,For You are my strength.Into Your hand I commit my spirit;You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

WORSHIP

All:
(A time of worship and thanksgiving, led or spontaneous. Alternatively a devotional song may be played and listened to.)

NEW TESTAMENT READING

Acts 1:6-11

The Ascension

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

RESPONSORY

Reader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. All:Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

SONG OF SIMEON (Nunc Dimitis)

All:Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;Watch over us as we sleep,That awake, we may keep watch with Christ,And asleep, may rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, your word has been fulfilled:My own eyes have seen the salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people.A light to reveal you to the nations,and the glory of your people, Israel.

All:Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

All:Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;Watch over us as we sleep,That awake, we may keep watch with Christ,And asleep, may rest in his peace.

PRAYER

(You might like to spend a few moments thanking God for the day or bringing to him any outstanding issues.)

COLLECT

Reader:(Either this or an alternative closing prayer may be said.)

Be present, O God,
And protect us through the silent hours of this night,
So that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,
May rest upon your eternal changelessness.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Spirit,
One God, now and forever, Amen

BLESSING

Reader:(When praying in community, this or a similar blessing may be used)

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful end. Amen